Every election, OLCV endorses pro-conservation candidates running for public office. Once a candidate is endorsed by OLCV, OLCV’s Political Action Committee (OLCV PAC) may decide to support the campaign with staff time, volunteer activity, and other resources.

The OLCV Seal of Approval is sought by candidates at all levels of government in Oregon. That’s because OLCV is seen as a highly credible source of information on candidates’ environmental records. When we communicate with voters, they listen.

How the endorsement process works: Questionnaire and interview

Any candidate seeking an OLCV endorsement—from someone running for a local water district board to someone running for state Senate—must first fill out a comprehensive questionnaire. The questions cover a variety of relevant environmental issues and are also geared to help us assess what kind of environmental leader they intend to be if elected.

Following review of the questionnaire, OLCV conducts face-to-face interviews with each candidate. We consider each candidate’s environmental record (if they have one) and their level of commitment to protecting Oregon’s environmental legacy. We also endeavour to determine if they are a serious contender for the office they are seeking.

Questionnaire responses and endorsement interviews are kept confidential to ensure that candidates can speak freely. All endorsement recommendations are reviewed and finalized by the OLCV PAC Board of Directors.

Why the OLCV endorsement matters: Voter education and proven success

OLCV’s endorsement is critical information voters can use to decide which candidates to trust. The vast majority of voters simply don’t have time do in-depth research on the candidates — OLCV does that important work for you.

OLCV has a solid track record of winning close races, whether we’re working to elect candidates to vacant seats or to replace an anti-environment incumbent with pro-environment candidates.

Among the most significant statewide and state legislative victories OLCV has achieved over the years:

2002: Helped Dave Gilmour unseat Rick Holt to win a seat on the Jackson County Commission.

2006: Helped Lynn Peterson defeat long-term incumbent Larry Sowa for a set on the Clackamas County Commission.

2006: Helped Laura Tesler defeat incumbent Salem City Council President Jim Randall to win a seat on the city council.

2004: Helped Kitty Piercy win a heavily contested Mayoral race in Eugene, while electing two new pro-environment city councilors, helping a new pro-conservation majority take leadership of the council.

2004: Helped Dick Schouten win a tough reelection to the Washington county Commission, fighting off a challenge by former State Senator Eileen Qutub.